A delegation of ten officials from the Dallaire Initiative led by Lt Gen (Rtd) Romeo Dallaire, is visiting Rwanda from 14 to 25 May 2018. On 22 May, they visited the Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA) in Musanze District.

At the RPA, they discussed “Prevention of Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers” with 24 RDF Officers undertaking a two weeks training on Prevention of Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers.

“The reason why we are so keen in this country and in the forces that are here, as we are involved in numerous other countries, we want to engage in the training that you are getting here, you are a leading nation in Africa but you are also a leading nation in the world with capabilities of how to face significant operational threats that you face in the field in form of weapon system based on children. Study well, work hard, take care of your troops and maintain the mission of advancing humanity by progressively eliminating the use of children as weapons of war,” Lt Gen (Rtd) Dallaire, told the Rwanda Defence Force officers.

Before concluding their visit to Rwanda on 24 May, Romeo Dallaire and his delegation paid a courtesy call on the RDF Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba. He also met RDF troops who have completed pre-deployment peace support operations at Rwanda Military Academy Gako.